Despicable thieves steal HUNDREDS from military veterans outside Britain’s most festive house

Last updated: 2024/12/17 at 10:28 AM

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Thieves have stolen hundreds of pounds meant for military veterans from outside Britain’s most festive house.

Richard Isles has been covering his family home with Christmas lights for the last six years in aid of the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans, which aims to help WWII veterans in their homes and hospitals by providing entertainment, outings and much-needed specialised equipment.

This year, Richard spent an entire week festooning his house with over 200,000 lights.

But he has been left devastated after a collection box with hundreds of pounds meant for the charity was swiped by callous thieves, as reported by What’s The Jam.

*The charity collection box that was stolen. (Jam Press/Richard Iles)*

Richard, from Winterbourne Down, Glos, said: “As everybody knows we’ve gone all out this year to create a magical Christmas display for everybody to enjoy.

“We’ve spent a lot of our own money to do this for such a great charity but I hate to say that some low life has taken our charity box which was full of money donated from families coming to enjoy the display.

*Richard Iles (r) with WWII veteran Len Trewin. (Jam Press/Richard Iles)*

“I’m always one to help people out where I can but this has really annoyed me.

“I hate to put a downer on things but to be honest things like this cannot happen.

“We’re raising money for the Taxi Charity For Military Veterans.

“For the World War Two veterans who sacrificed their lives for our freedom.

“I’m lost for words.

“As a family we’ll contribute to make up the difference but it really does make me wonder what a world we live in.

“It is really upsetting.

“We take the notes out every night but a couple of hundred pounds worth of coins were stolen.

*Britain’s most festive home which is festooned with more than 200,000 Christmas lights. (Jam Press/Richard Iles)*

“After all the work we have put in it is demoralising to think someone has run off with the money.”

Richard makes the pilgrimage to Normandy each year to commemorate D-Day – the largest seaborne invasion in history which marked the beginning of the liberation of western Europe and France.

He said the lights will remain on 24 hours a day until the twelfth night of Christmas on January 5.

Paul Cook, vice chairman for the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans, said: “As a small niche charity that is wholly reliant on donations, we are incredibly grateful to Rich for choosing to support the Taxi Charity this year.”